Fluid dispensing apparatus



July 25, 1933'. R. L. RENZENHAUSEN FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS FiledMarch 12, 1931 Ffym om Z. Penzenfim/Jerz A TTGPNL'Y Patented July 25,1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAYMOND I. RENZENHAUSEN, OF ST. LOUIS,MISSOURI, ASSIGNOB TO VESTAL CHEMICAL COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ACORPORATION OF MISSOURI FLUID DISEENSING APPARATUS Application filedMarch 12, 1931. Serial No. 521,924.

This invention relates to fluid dispensing apparatus and, moreparticularly, to a certain new and useful improvement in devicesespecially, thou 11 not exclusively, adapted fgr the dispensing ofliquid soap and the lice.

Heretofore, so far as I am aware, soap dispensing devices of the typedescribed have been constructed for direct mechanical motivation of thesoap-liquid, as by the use of plungers and the like, which, being thusnecessarily in contact with the soap, not only are subject to more orless rapid corrosion, but also contaminate the soap liquid, and,further, it is in practice difficult to prevent leakage of the soap fromthe apparatus, creating untidy and highly objectionable sanitaryconditions.

The prime objects of my invention are hence to provide a simple, easilyregulable, clean, and highly hygienic and sanitary liquid soapdispensing apparatus; to provide, furthermore, a soap dispensingapparatus which may be conveniently operated by the user with. bothhands free for reception of the dispensed soap; to provide a pneumaticfluid motivated dispensing apparatus adapted for precise and easilyadjustable regulation of the quantity of soap dispensed; and togenerally improve the construction and sanitation of fluid dispensindevices.

And with the a ove and otherobjects in view, my invention resides in thenovel features of form, construction, arrangement and combination ofarts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is an assembled View of a soap dispensing apparatus of myinvention as installed for use;

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the container and itsassociated parts of the apparatus, taken approximately along the line33, Figure 2, a fragmentary portion of the pump-conduit being shown, andother parts omitted;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the swivelpacking-connection taken approximately along the line 4-4, Figure 2; an

s Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the pneumatic fluidescape valve and its regulating means, taken approximately along theline 5'5, Figure 2.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawing,which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, my newsoap-dispensing apparatus includes, I may here briefly state, afluid-tight receptacle A adapted to contain a quantity of the fluid, asliquid soap B, which the apparatus is devised to dispense, as in theillus tration of Figure 1, for lavatory use or the like, in convenientpredetermined quantities, the soap flowing from the container Apreferably through a swingable dispensing spout or conduit C. The liquidsoap B is motivated through the conduit C by the agency of airpressureapplied to the liquid surface of the soap by means of a pneumaticpressure applying apparatus D, which includes preferably a suitable footpump or the like, the quantity of soap B dispensed from the container Aon flow of air or like fluid in the apparatus D being variably regulableby means of a pneumatic fluid escape valve E adapted to control theaccumulation of fluid pressure in the container A.

y The fluid-tight receptacle or container A includes a cap 1 having abracket 2 for attachment thereof to a support or, as in the presentinstance, to the rear apron 3 of a lavatory 4. The cap 1 also has adepending circular flange 5 suitably interiorly threaded for supportingengagement with the co-operatively threaded neck 5a of the depending jaror reservoir 6 adapted to contain the fluid soap B to be dispensed, thecap 1 forming hence one wall or the closure of the container A. Anannular gasket 3 is preferably interposed between the top of thejar-neck 5a and the underside of the cap 1 for sealing the jar 6 againstescape of air, liquid, or other fluid therefrom.

The contents of the container A includes, as I have said, a body orquantity of liquid soap B, that is, soap material in fluid condition andhence freely mobile under air pressure for movement from the container Athrough the eflluent duct C or the like, as presentl appearing.

The gischarge-spout C includes a prefer- 5 ably angular extension or airtube 7 adapted to depend in the soap-body B and having a foot or checkvalve structure at its dependi end for immersion in the soap h uid.

aid foot-valve, in turn, includes aallretaining chamber 8 communicatingwith the bore of the tube 7, the bottom wall of the chamber 8 having aliquid passage 9 communicating with the container A, the passage 9 atits upper end having its walls formed with a semi-spherical valve seatcomplementary to and engageable by a valve-member or ball 10, which byits weight is adapted to normally seal the passage 9 against reflux ofthe soalp liquid from the tube 7 into the container The upper end of thetube 7 is supported for rotation in and through the end wall of the cap1 by means of a swivel-packing connection C. This connection includesprefer ably a laterally projecting step-bearing or collar 12 fixed ormounted in any convenient manner on and encircling the tube 7 and havingannular bearing engagement with a complementary ring packing member 13con- 80 structed preferably of felt or like suitable sealing material.The member 13, in turn, annularly engages, on its lower, preferablyplane, side, a corresponding seat 14 provided in or on the bottom wallof a packing chamber 15, the side walls of which preferably upstand froma plug or like closure. member 16 suitably bored for accommodating thetube 7,

the seat 14 preferably surrounding the bore of the tube.

The plug 16 is removably threaded, accessibly from above, into-the wallof the cap 1 for providing, by simply removing the plug 16 and itscarried tube 7, convenient access to the interior of the container A forreplenishment of the soap liquid as required.

A. nut or the like 17 bored to fit on the tube 7 threadedly engages theexterior walls of the chamber 15, and a spring 18, mounted over the tube7, is tensionally engaged between an interposed washer or springretainer 18' and the opposing upper face of the annular collar 12 foreffecting yielding pressure or sealingcontact of the opposite faces ofthe packing ring 13 with the respective opposing faces of the collar 12and seat 14, thus maintaining fluid-tightness of the container A, whilepermitting rotatory actuation of the tube 7, for purposes resentlyappearing.

The e ux conduit G, extending thus. rotarily through the swivel packingdevice C, has its container-exterior portion curved or laterally bentpreferably just above the packing device C, in such manner as to providea swingable dispensing-spout 20, which has a.

slight inclination from its base or bend upwardly towards its dischargeend for the accumulation of a body or column of soapliquid in the spout20 and the tube 7 normal y supported by the foot valve 10.

Mounted on the discharge end of the spout 20, is a tip 21 comprising abent tubular member having a bore smaller than the bore of the spout 20,the ti 21 having a. shouldered portion 22 adapte for interfitting in thebore of the spout 20 forabutting the shoulder of the tip 21 with the endof the spout 20 and thereby providing a smooth continuity to theexterior surface of the spout. The bore of the tip 21 provides a shortdownwardly turned passage 23 terminating at a point above the bend atthe base of the spout 20 for substantially preventing siphonic action onthe fluid in the conduit, while the annular interfitted end face of thetip 21 serves as a dam, so to speak, for raising the drainage level ofthe liquid in the spout 20 in such manner, hence,-

as to substantially reduce the overflow of liquid from the spout 20 oncessation of pressure conditions in the container A. The tip 21 is,further, at its inner end beveled, as shown, which prevents theadherence thereto of the discharging fluid and hence obviates .theformation across the bore of the tip of a soap-film or the like whichmight interfere withlthe proper efliux of the dispensed materia Themeans D for applying pneumatic fluid pressure to the container Aincludes a pneumatic foot-pump 24 of suitable construction, and adapted,for convenience, to be disposed on the floor beneath the lavatory 4. Thepump'chamber (not shown) of the pump 24 communicates with a flexibleconduit 25, as a rubber tube or the like, extending from the pump 24 forconnection with the container A for supplying pumped air thereto, theconduit 25, for such purpose, being engaged over the suitably scored endof a tube-receptive nipple 26 having a passageway therethroughcommunicating with the tube 25. The nipple 26 is supported by andprojects from a cap 27 threadedly engaging a head 28 having a passagewaytherethrough provided with a semi-spherical seat engageable by acomplementary ball-end 29 formed on the inner end of thenipple 26, asbest seen in Figure 3.

The nipple 26 and head 28 when engaged.

engaged by a screw-cap 32 slidable on the Ill Ill

tube 30. The cap 32 has a part adapted to bear on a compression sleeve33 having a conical seat in the socket 31 for grippingl engaging theinserted end of the goose-nee r The head of the socket member 31 isprovided with a chamber 34 communicating with the bore of the goose-neck30, the walls or: the chamber 34 having suitable ports 35 forcommunicating the c iamber also with the interior of the container A forlaterally diverting the entering air and thereby preventing agitationofthe container contents.

At the bend of the goose-neck 30 depends a valve chamber 36 havingcommunication with the'bore of the goose-neck and having in its lowerwall a valve-port 37 communieating with the atmosphere, the Walls ofsaid port 37 at their upper end terminating in asemi-s herical valveseat complementary to, and adizpted to be engaged by, a valve-memher orball 39, which by its weight normally seals the port 37 against escapeof air from the pump conduit, a suction fiow of air being permitted,however, for hence supplying replacement air to the conduit 25 from apoint closeiy contiguous to the container A.

The means E for regulating the accumulation of pneumatic fluid in thecontainer A comprises a plug 40 threaded through the end wall of cap 1and having a ort 41 communicating with the interior of t e container.'lihe walls of the upper end of the port 41 are formed with asemi-spherical valve-seat 42 complementary to, and adapted to be engagedby, a valve member or ball 43, which by its weight normally seals theport 41 against admission of air thereinto, but on accumulation ofpressure in the container A is adapted to be lifted from its seat 42 forescape of accumulated air from the container A, the rate offlow of theescaping air being regulable by means of a ball-impingeable member orscrew 44 threaded through a cap 45 having threaded engagement, in turn,with the projecting end of the plug 40, the cap 45 having a chamber 46in which the ball 43 may work and the chamber 46 having suitable ports47 for emission to the atmosphere of air escaping from the container Apast the ball 43 when lifted from its seat 42 according to thepermissible movement of the ball as de termined by the setting of thescrew 44.

In the use and employment of the apparatus, a suitable quantity ofliquid soap B is dis posed in the container A preferably through theopening in the cap 1 provided by removing the packing-device C" andconduit C, which, being for such purpose temporarily removed, are thenreplaced, thus substantially establishing fluid tightness of thecontainer A. However, as I desire to here point out, the entireapparatus is, as will be observed, supported in or by the cap 1 from thebracket 2, hence the jar 6 of the container A may,

without disturbing the rest of the apparatus, be readily removed forfilling and, also, for cleaning purposes, as may from time to time upnear desirable.

n foot-actuution of the pump 24 by the user of the apparatus, air willbe pumped into the container A, which air, if not allowed to escape,will accumulate under pressure, thus supplying the necessary force formotivating the soap-liquid outwardly through the conduit G, the soappassing between the ball 10 and its seat, thence through the tube 7 andspout 20 to the user, who, of course, swings the spout 20 to one side orthe other as may be most convenient for his purpose.

It will be seen, however, that the duration of motivating pressureconditions on the soap body will depend upon the relief of pressurepermitted on pressure lifting actuation of the ball 43 in the escapevalve E, which, being determined by the position of the regulating screw44, may thus be nicely regulated in such manner that, in practice, theamount of soap dispensed on each actuation of the pump 24 may bepredetermined in amount, ranging from a few drops to a full ounce, ormore, according to the relative proportions of the apparatus.

The regulating device E is simple in adjustment and effectively controlsthe flow of the soap liquid from the container A, and I might point outthat the user of the apparatus is, by pedal actuation of the pump 24,enabled to most conveniently employ both hands, if desired, forreception of the dispensed soap, and, as will be obvious, it isunnecessary to manipulate the apparatus with wet or soapy hands, or tomost unhygienically rehandle parts previously used by others.

Upon diminution of pressure conditions in the container, the weight ofthe column of liquid in the conduit C causes the ball 10 to return toits seat, thus preventing reflux or counter flow of soap-liquid into thecontainer A from the tube 7 and hence maintaining the the overflow ordrainage level of the spout 20 as determined by the bore of the-tip 21.Thus,

' on renewed dispensing actuation of the pump,

the soap merely flows from the hence already filled spout 20 through theshort tip passage 23, thereby effectively avoiding spouts, splashings,air pockets, and the like, in dispensing the soap and afi'ording asmooth,

even, and easily regulable flow of the soap liquid. I might add that thepassage 23 in the. tip 21 is so short that siphonic action ispractically impossible; thus the flow of soap liquid ceases promptly onrelief of motivating pressure, and dripping at the spout issubstantially prevented.

It will be seen also that the location of the air inlet valve 37 in thepump-conduit 25 at a point contiguous to the container A is such as tosubstantially remove the possibility of fluid column in the conduit Csubstantially at dirt or other foreign matter entering into theapparatus with the suction air, a contingency rather unavoidable whenthe suction inlet is located at the pump or near the floor.

It will be seen that my invention accom plishes its objects, and it willbe understood that, while I have illustrated a preferred embodiment ofmy invention, changes and modi-' threaded engagement with thecontainer-neck for closure thereof, a bracket fixed to the cap forconnection to a support, and a discharge conduit mounted intermediateits ends in the cap for swivelling m-ovementrelatively to the container.

2. In a fluid dispensing apparatus, in combination, a container havingan open neck, a

cap having engagement with the container for closure of the neckthereof, said caphaving a socket, means including a conduit foraccumulating fluid pressure in the container, said conduit having an endpresented downwardly through said socket, and a chambered member mountedon the cap in communication with the conduit, said member having a portin its lateral wall for diverting the entering fluid for preventingagitation of the container contents.

RAYMOND L. RENZENHAUSEN.

